Francesco I Sforza, 1401-1466, 4th Duke of Milan 1450 [obverse] c. 1488

Caradosso Foppa created this bronze medal of Francesco Sforza sometime after he became the Duke of Milan in 1450. The medal is a fascinating object that links artistic skill with political power. The imagery on the medal is carefully chosen to create meaning. In Renaissance Italy, portraiture was usually reserved for the elite. Medals such as this, often made of precious metals, served as propaganda tools, reinforcing the Duke’s authority. They were gifts distributed to courtiers and allies, acting as a constant reminder of Sforza's power and status. The very existence of this medal speaks to the increasing importance of individual identity and the growing power of wealthy families in 15th-century Italy. To truly understand the significance of this piece, one might delve into archival records, family trees, and art patronage during the Renaissance. This medal is just one piece of a much larger puzzle.